this post was submitted on 10 Nov 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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[–] [email protected] 71 points 1 year ago (3 children)

A third competitor for Android and iOS would be amazing. But not if it's Amazon..

[–] [email protected] 25 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

https://pine64.com/product-category/pinephone/

https://pine64.com/product-category/smartphones/pinephone-pro/

There is already something in the works (that you can technically buy right now if you wanted), and it actively respects your freedom. Granted, as with everything in this ecosystem, its a very slow burn, so it'll be a while before the software is actually good, but it's already made massive strides from where it started.

I would say wait a bit and take a look at this later, but i do have one friend daily driving one now to some success (this wasn't possible a year ago).

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That would be great, but you can buy a $20 burner from a gas station that's more powerful than those phones.

The regular version uses the Allwinner A64 chip which retailed for $5 when it was released... Back in 2015.

The Pro version uses the RK3399S, which is a custom lower binned version of the RK3399. Neither chip was made available retail, but the SK3399 was released in 2016 and only otherwise used in low-end Chromebooks and SBCs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Sure, but calling them out for not being a $20 burner phone doesnt make sense when you're comparing that to a developer/development device. This phone specifically isnt meant for everyday consumers. What it is, however, is a signal that there is now a third competitor in the works, and it's real and tangible.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I just read an article about how they're increasing advertising on their Fire TVs. Rest assured, an Amazon OS is an Advertising OS.

Although, from what I've gathered of public opinion online, there's LOTS of people willing to forgo their privacy in exchange for free shit.

Edit: Oh...

They say they expect Vega to begin shipping on Fire TVs early next year.

And that article https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/after-luring-customers-with-low-prices-amazon-stuffs-fire-tvs-with-ads/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

OOnly if it is Libre Software. We are tired of proprietary rubbish

[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Android is already free software, and see how far that gets you. The kicker is that you're tied into their services (with all the data harvesting, targeted advertising and monetisation that that involves).

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use GrapheneOS. Not all android is born equal

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yes, because it is permissively open source, not only are these companies free to build what they want - we are entitled to that same right. We therefore created LineageOS and GrapheneOS, and its really great.

There's also a lot of motivated people getting regular Linux distributions running on mobile devices too, so we have that as well

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

If you're tied to their non-free services, then its not free software.